Hello, bag-making friends! In the latest episode of The Bag Makers Sew-Ciety Podcast, I had the absolute pleasure of catching up with Emma from Studio 7T7. You might remember her from a previous episode in autumn, and now she’s back to share exciting updates on her bag-making journey, upcoming events, and the joys (and struggles!) of running a creative business. If you love bag-making, sewing events, or just enjoy hearing the behind-the-scenes of running a small sewing business, this one’s for you!
A Stitch Festival to Remember
Emma is gearing up for the Stitch Festival in March, and this year, her stand will be bigger and more accessible, making it easier for visitors to browse and chat. She’s bringing leftover stock from her popular Advent Box (which sold out super quickly!), so if you missed out, you might still get a chance to grab something special.
The Magic of Subscription Boxes
Emma’s Bag Maker’s Box and Advent Box have been a massive hit with bag makers who love a curated surprise. We talked about the excitement of putting together these boxes and how much fun it is to select the fabrics, hardware, and goodies that go inside. She’s got lots of ideas for future boxes, so if you’re a fan, keep your eyes peeled!
Balancing Business & Life
Running a creative business sounds dreamy, but Emma keeps it real—it’s not just about sewing all day! She juggles her business, family life, school runs, and product development, and let’s just say, it’s a bit of a whirlwind. We both agreed that some days are pure creative joy, while others are just endless emails and admin!
The Reality of Running a Small Business
Emma shared that marketing, logistics, and admin work often take up more time than actually sewing. The reality is that running a bag-making business involves a lot of behind-the-scenes work, from answering customer emails to sorting out packaging and stock. It’s not always glamorous, but it’s all part of making the business a success.
The Power of Community
One thing we both agreed on? Community is everything! Having fellow makers to chat with, swap ideas, and get support from makes such a difference—especially on those tough days when things don’t go to plan. The bag-making world is such a friendly and encouraging place, and it’s amazing to be part of it.
Social Media: A Love-Hate Relationship
Marketing can be tough, and we had a great discussion about the struggle of balancing social media with business tasks. Emma loves connecting with her audience, but keeping up with posting, promoting products, and engaging online takes time and effort. If you run a small business, you’ll definitely relate to this one!
A Sneaky Peek at a New Pattern!
Now, for the exciting bit—Emma has been working on a brand-new bag pattern that’s been in the making for years! She’s finally bringing it to life, and the best part? It will have multiple customization options so bag makers can put their own spin on it. We can’t wait to see the final version!
Why Sharing Knowledge Matters
One of the best things about being part of the sewing community is learning from each other. Emma and I love swapping tips, techniques, and troubleshooting ideas, and we both agree that sharing knowledge is a huge part of what makes bag-making so much fun.
Looking Ahead
Emma wrapped up by saying how grateful she is to be able to do what she loves, and we both reflected on the importance of adapting, learning, and growing in a creative business. The journey is always evolving, but that’s what makes it so exciting!
Final Thoughts.
Catching up with Emma from Studio 7T7 was such a treat! Whether you’re interested in the Stitch Festival, love the idea of subscription boxes, or just enjoy hearing the realities of running a sewing business, there was so much to take away from this chat.
If you missed the episode, you can catch the full podcast replay on The Bag Makers Sew-Ciety YouTube channel. I’d love to hear your thoughts—are you planning on visiting the Stitch Festival? Have you ever tried one of Emma’s subscription boxes?
Until next time happy sewing and may your bobbin always be full
Deb x
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